2014: Kalingafornia Young Weavers

In 2014, the Alliance for California Traditional Arts awarded another Living Cultures grant to Kalingafornia Laga through its Fiscal Sponsor, KulArts. The grant instituted the beginning of Kalingafornia Young Weavers program by providing weaving opportunities for children and teens. One of Jenny’s dreams came true.

Her daughter, her daughter’s friends, and Kalingafornia Laga’s family members had the opportunity to learn laga. They enjoyed a summer camp with weaving activities and learned more about Kalinga Cultural Heritage. A dream is manifested and the preservation of laga, Kalinga backstrap weaving, is a reality in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Kalingafornia Young Weavers project introduced laga to children and youth. Families gathered in the summertime to weave, eat, hike, play music, learn more about Kalinga Cultural Heritage and enjoy nature with their families.

In addition to the individualized lessons in the Kalingafornia Young Weavers program, Kalingafornia Laga members provided key demonstrations for children, youth and their families for the Sama Sama Summer Immersion Program in Oakland, the Filipino American Heritage Festival at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, “2 Blocks of Art” at the Bayanihan Community Center in San Francisco, and the Amung 2014 gathering of KANA (Kalingas of North America Network) in South San Francisco.